ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

Yes, this IS science fiction, because the story is rooted in the used of hi-tech reconnaissance devices all throughout the film which allow the characters to watch dangerous situations in the Middle East using high definition images, while making crucial life-or-death decisions.

The question is, do those devices we see being used exist today, and can they do the amazing things we see? In other words, is this movie based on present day scientific facts?

Well, here's what Wikipedia says on that subject.
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Dr. Peter Asaro on Science & Film reviewed the accuracy of the advanced military technology depicted in the film concluding, "keep in mind that while some of the advanced technologies depicted are not yet out in the field, many are only a few years away from being a reality."
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This is a remarkably moving and important motion picture, depicting the difficult moral decisions that must be made when politicians and military leaders battle the cruel and insane fanatics who destroy innocent lives for their own evil purposes.

I highly recommend this movie. We live in a cruel and immoral world. This film depicts this with skill and clarity.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Gord Green]

The tech was not so much sci fi as you may think, but the range and accuracy was a bit exaggerated.

Loved the mini drone dragonfly.

The moral questions, however, were the most disturbing thing. Just how total must war be? Are civilian casualties just the cost of victory?

Look at what's going on in Syria and Iraq. Collateral damage of as few as possible may just be the cost of saving a majority.

Lot's of questions raised and Helen Mirren was, as usual, fantastic.

[Bud Brewster]

[Gord Green]

As, alas, every hand-to-hand soldier in every war that's ever been knows that all too well.

[Custer]

I guess the movie is probably not based on the Philip K. Dick novel of the same name...

[Bud Brewster]

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Definitely not, but the cover is striking, isn't it?
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Custer]

"Cover art uncredited but probably Ed Valigursky," the isfdb site says, and it certainly is an, er, eye-catching image. I guess the title is too generic, and widely used, for the Philip K. Dick estate to have any claims to it... unlike of course "Blade Runner" where the title of a novel of that name, by Alan E. Nourse, had to be bought in by the movie-makers.

[Bud Brewster]

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IMDB only has 16 trivia items for this movie, but I only found one that were interesting, shown in in the blue text below.
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~ This film's plot resembles the Trolley Problem, an ethical dilemma proposed by Philippa Foot wherein a runaway trolley is about to kill many people, but deliberately pulling a lever would divert the trolley to another track and kill a child. Test subjects often take no action, denying responsibility for the multiple deaths.

Note from me: It's easy to say that a person should choose to save the largest number of people, but knowing that you directly caused even one death would haunt you for the rest of your life.

This next item is from the Wikipedia article.

~ Peter Asaro on Science & Film reviewed the accuracy of the advanced military technology depicted in the film concluding, "keep in mind that while some of the advanced technologies depicted are not yet out in the field, many are only a few years away from being a reality."

Note from me: The movie was made four years ago. I wonder if Mr. Asaro's prediction is coming true.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)